Update
The results of the recent geological investigations were assessed and a decision was taken to defer the installation of the bridge to December 2021. The investigations have shown that the bedrock of the canal beneath the railway bridge is at a deeper level than reported by previous surveys. This means that construction plans have to be amended to install deeper, piled foundations to support the new bridge. In the meantime, work will continue on site as planned on the concreting to cast the new sections for the bridge, the preparation for the protection and diversion of cables and other utilities, and additional ground testing for the revised designs. Once this is complete, work will be paused until the late autumn. More information will be provided in due course.
The water management plan will be revised in line with the change in programme mentioned above. The project will require to completely drain a section of the canal most likely in the autumn. This will be carefully undertaken in consultation with ecologists to minimise any impact on wildlife and the surrounding environment.
Works completed on site week 15-21/02:
- 5 concrete units have been cast during the week out of the planned 7. This brings the total number to 12 units cast to date. In total, there are 37 concrete units to be cast on site to form the new bridge. The large units weigh up to 64t.
- Progress made on the steel & formwork (moulds) for the units despite strong winds disrupting the operations with the crane onsite.
- De-vegetation work continued. This is required in the area that sits in the span of the crane that will lift the concrete units into place, to form the bridge.
- Railway services were mapped and a plan was formulated for their diversion via a temporary catenary bridge to remove the cables out of the path of the crane during the culvert installation.
Works planned (22/02 – 28/02):
- Plan to cast 4 more concrete units and to continue work on the steel and formwork (moulds) for the units.
- De-vegetation work.
The Ocean Rail Bridge Project page can be found here: Ocean Rail Bridge
